Aaron Feinberg, a prodigy of aggressive inline skating, made a resounding impact on the sport from an early age, culminating in his victory at the esteemed second international X-Games in 1996. This triumph marked the beginning of a remarkable career that shattered the limitations of inline skating. Throughout his vibrant journey, we delve into his noteworthy achievements, such as his captivating sections in the Mindgame videos, his transition from Salomon to USD, and the unveiling of his remarkable USD Aeon skate anniversary edition, inspired by his iconic USD Classic Throne signature models.
By attaining remarkable scores at the ASA Pro Tour qualifying series, Aaron Feinberg swiftly ascended to the ranks of the Pro category in early 1996. This achievement secured him a seamless entry into the highly anticipated final of the X-Games—a prestigious international competition that held paramount significance in the scene of extreme sports, prominently showcased on ESPN. Despite his innovative new school style and his tender age, Aaron defied all expectations and claimed the coveted first-place position on the podium in the aggressive inline category. This resounding victory not only propelled his career to new heights but also established a path for his future endeavours. While Aaron predominantly identified as a street skater, he never neglected the skate park game. The triumph at the X-Games instilled him with greater confidence, resulting in his regular appearances at esteemed events like the NISS, Gravity Games, and various other series. As a result, he became a recognizable figure within the skate scene, admired for his immense skill and unwavering dedication.
Salomon era
Salomon, a new player in the skate industry, recognized the immense potential in young Aaron Feinberg. Captivated by the surging popularity of aggressive inline skating, Salomon made a strategic move to enter this 'hungry' market. To ensure the development of cutting-edge gear, the company sought the expertise of its professional team members. Skaters like Matt Andrews, Nick Riggle, and Aaron Feinberg himself were called upon to lend their insights in designing equipment that catered to the needs of the late 90s aggressive skaters.
During the design process, Salomon closely guarded the secrets of their aggressive inline model. However, when the time was right, they chose Aaron as the perfect conduit to unveil their groundbreaking skate. The ideal occasion for this grand unveiling came at the ISS competition held in Amsterdam in 1998. Wearing the new Salomon skates, Aaron displayed his exceptional skills and claimed an impressive second place in the competition. This momentous event marked the introduction of the new equipment to the world.
In due course, Aaron's remarkable contributions and influence in the sport earned him the honour of having his own signature pro model in 2000. This milestone effectively signalled the end of an era in aggressive inline skates that did not adhere to the UFS (Universal Frame System) standard. By bestowing Aaron with his signature pro model, Salomon solidified his position as a trailblazer in the sport, leaving an indelible mark on the history of aggressive inline skating.
A transformative moment in Aaron Feinberg's career unfolded when he made the significant decision to decline a sponsorship offer from the highly regarded Senate brand. This choice stemmed from Aaron's profound admiration for the skating approach of Dustin Latimer and Brian Shima, and his burning desire to align himself with their crew. At that time, these exceptional skaters were collaborating with Shane Coburn on a groundbreaking endeavour known as Mindgame. This venture would go on to revolutionize the rollerblading landscape on a global scale.
Mindgame
Initially hesitant about joining forces, Dustin, Shane, and Brian were convinced of Aaron's potential after just a few sessions together. Consequently, they welcomed him into the newly formed Mindgame team. The revelation of this decision to the skate community was artfully unveiled during the official premiere of Mindgame's inaugural film production, “Brain Fear Gone” As the closing credits rolled, an unforgettable moment took place—a silhouette of Aaron emerged, and the film's title ingeniously transformed into an anagram of his name, marking the start of his timeless section. This awe-inspiring revelation sent shock waves through the skating community, propelling Feinberg and the entire Mindgame collective to new heights of admiration and reverence.
While such surprises may not carry the same impact in today's era, this particular moment resonated deeply two decades ago. Even now, seasoned skaters, upon hearing the opening notes of Foreigner's “Juke Box Hero” track, are transported back to that unforgettable introduction of Aaron's powerful section. Mindgame continued to push boundaries and redefine the sport's standards in the following years, consistently raising the bar for innovation and artistic expression.
Shane Couburn's films have been a benchmark of quality, both in terms of the creation process itself and the level of presented stunts. Less than two years after the release of Brain Fear Gone, the brand released Words, the second official Mindgame team video. Once again, it was an incredible spectacle, packed with some of the hardest and most dangerous tricks in skating history. It seemed that the pros of the time were breaking all boundaries, pushing progression to the limit. The Words flick was a great example of mature aggressive skaters showing their individuality at that very moment, separating themselves completely from other action sports.
In the case of Aaron Feinberg, Words brought another big change that shocked the community. Despite the prevailing belief among professional skaters that Salomon provided excellent treatment and smooth collaborations with its athletes, the corporate giant, primarily driven by profit, significantly reduced its financial support for its sponsored skaters as the aggressive inline skating market experienced a downturn.
As the checks from Salomon dwindled to amounts comparable to those offered by slightly smaller companies that Aaron felt a stronger connection to and desired to skate for, he faced a pivotal decision. This led him to Words, where we witnessed the introduction of the iconic USD Throne model bearing Aaron Feinberg's signature. The skates' vibrant and distinctive colours, enhanced soul plate, and the rising popularity of the innovative Mindgame Higgs Boson wheels with the first-ever Kizer Fluid frame design propelled them to become unrivalled best-sellers.
This strategic move not only showcased Aaron's alignment with brands that resonated with his personal vision but also marked a shift in the industry's landscape. The combination of the striking design elements and the exceptional performance features of the USD Throne skates captured the attention and loyalty of skaters worldwide, solidifying their status as a must-have item in the market.
USD Aeon 60 Aaron Feinberg
As the years rolled on, USD introduced three additional iterations of Aaron Feinberg's iconic USD Classic Throne model. However, it was the version he rode during his time at Words that retained its status as the most emblematic. This is likely why Aaron Feinberg's latest Pro model, built upon the foundation of the USD Aeon skate, pays homage to those memorable skates. The design incorporates Aaron's classic logo on both the frame and cuff. While the original skate featured an anti-rocker setup, the USD Aeon 60 Aaron Feinberg version embraces the widely beloved and easily accessible flat setup.
But fear not, purists! There is fantastic news for those who cherished the unique Higgs Boson wheels, which became a trademark of Aaron's first pro model. The esteemed brand Kizer has brought them back to life in the form of Kizer Sliders. So, if you were a fan of this distinctive wheel solution, you will soon have the opportunity to once again experience the thrill and bring the current edition of Feinberg skates even closer to the cherished skates of over two decades ago. The revival of the Higgs Boson wheels by Kizer adds an extra layer of nostalgia and authenticity to Aaron's latest Pro model, delighting enthusiasts who long for the distinctive features that made his earlier skates so memorable.
By reintroducing beloved classic models, USD is scoring additional points with both brand enthusiasts and the wider community of aggressive skaters. Showing reverence for the 'old gang' can profoundly impact the younger generation, who may not have a comprehensive understanding of the rich history of aggressive skating from twenty years ago. Moreover, we are thrilled to witness Aaron's continued involvement in rollerblading even after transitioning into adulthood, as exemplified by his recent victory in the Veteran category at the 2019 Blading Cup. Despite his age, he continues to astound with his diverse repertoire and distinctive approach to conquering obstacles. While a complete come back may not be anticipated, his presence at current events is more than satisfying, and the opportunity to purchase his new line of professional skates as a gesture of support is bound to resonate with many of us!
